NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 | The Seasons Notes & PDF

Topic covered: The Seasons and MCQs Questions: Climate (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “The Seasons” from the NCERT Geography notes for class 9th chapter 4 “Climate“.

Download the NCERT Geography for Class 9th Chapter 4 Climate Notes PDF

The Climate chapter of Class 9 Geography explores the factors that influence India’s diverse weather patterns. These notes explain major elements like temperature, rainfall, pressure, and wind systems, along with concepts such as monsoons, seasons, factors that affect climate and climatic controls. Students will also find clear points on why different regions in India experience varied climates and how these patterns affect daily life and agriculture. The PDF is designed to make revision easy with concise summaries, diagrams, and exam-ready pointers. Download the NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 Climate Notes PDF to prepare effectively and build a solid understanding of this topic.

The Seasons

1. Nature of Monsoon Climate:

• India has a monsoon type of climate.
• It is marked by a distinct seasonal pattern.
• Weather conditions change greatly from one season to another.

2. Regional Differences in Seasonal Changes:

• Interior parts of India:
  a. Seasonal changes are more noticeable.
• Coastal areas of India:
  a. Do not experience much variation in temperature.
  b. However, there is variation in rainfall pattern.

3. Major Seasons in India:

• India experiences four main seasons (with regional variations):
  a. Cold Weather Season (Winter)
  b. Hot Weather Season (Summer)
  c. Advancing Monsoon (Southwest Monsoon – Rainy season)
  d. Retreating Monsoon (Northeast Monsoon – Post-monsoon season)

The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

1. Duration of Cold Weather Season:

• Begins: Mid-November (northern India).
• Ends: February.
• Coldest months: December & January (northern India).

2. Temperature Conditions:

• Temperature decreases from south to north.
• Chennai (eastern coast): 24°–25°C.
• Northern Plains: 10°C–15°C.
• Day vs Night: Days are warm, nights are cold.
• Frost: Common in north.
• Snowfall: Higher Himalayan slopes.

3. Winds and Dry Conditions:

• Northeast trade winds prevail during this season.
• Blow from land to sea – dry season for most of India.
• Exception: Tamil Nadu coast – receives rainfall (winds blow sea to land here).

4. Pressure & Wind System:

• Feeble high-pressure region develops in northern India.
• Light winds move outwards from this region.
• Guided by relief, winds blow through Ganga Valley from west & northwest.
• Weather is marked by:
  a. Clear skies
  b. Low temperatures
  c. Low humidity
  d. Feeble & variable winds

5. Western Disturbances (Cyclonic Disturbances):

• Characteristic feature of cold weather season in northern plains.
• Originate: Mediterranean Sea & Western Asia.
• Carried by: Westerly flow into India.
• Impacts:
  a. Winter rains in northern plains (called ‘Mahawat’).
  b. Snowfall in Himalayan region.
• Importance: Essential for cultivation of Rabi crops.

6. Peninsular India in Winter:

• No well-defined cold season in peninsular India.
• Hardly any noticeable seasonal change in temperature.
• Reason: Moderating influence of the sea.

The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

1. Duration and Cause:

• Season months: March to May.
• Reason: Apparent northward movement of the Sun shifts the global heat belt northwards.

2. Temperature Pattern (March–May):

• March: Highest temperature ≈ 38°C – Deccan Plateau.
• April: ≈ 42°C – Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh.
• May: ≈ 45°C – Northwestern India.
• Peninsular India: Lower temperatures due to moderating influence of oceans.

3. Pressure System:

• Rising temperatures – falling air pressure in northern India.
• End of May: An elongated low-pressure trough develops:
  i. Extends from Thar Desert (NW) – Patna & Chotanagpur Plateau (E & SE).
• Circulation of air begins around this trough.

4. Local Winds and Weather Phenomena:

• Loo:
  a. Strong, gusty, hot, dry winds.
  b. Blow over north & northwestern India during daytime.
  c. Can continue into evening.
  d. Direct exposure can be fatal.
• Dust storms:
  a. Common in May (northern India).
  b. Bring temporary relief – lower temperature, cool breeze, light rain.
• Localised thunderstorms:
  a. Violent winds + torrential rain + hail.
  b. In West Bengal – called ‘Kaal Baisakhi’.

5. Pre-Monsoon Showers:

• Common in Kerala & Karnataka.
• Help in early ripening of mangoes.
• Locally called ‘Mango Showers’.

Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)

1. Onset and Cause of Monsoon:

• By early June – Low-pressure condition over northern plains intensifies.
• This attracts southeast trade winds of the Southern Hemisphere.
• These winds:
  a. Originate over warm subtropical southern oceans.
  b. Cross the equator – deflected to southwest by Coriolis force.
  c. Enter India as Southwest Monsoon Winds.

2. Characteristics of Monsoon Winds:

• Bring abundant moisture from oceans.
• Strong winds with an average velocity of 30 km/hr.
• Cover almost the entire country in about a month (except extreme northwest).
• Cause a total change in weather conditions.

3. Rainfall Distribution in India:

• Western Ghats (windward side): Very heavy rainfall (> 250 cm).
• Deccan Plateau & Madhya Pradesh: Moderate rainfall (though in rain shadow zone).
• Northeastern India: Maximum rainfall.
  a. Mawsynram (Khasi Hills): Receives highest average rainfall in the world.
• Ganga Valley: Rainfall decreases from east to west.
• Rajasthan & parts of Gujarat: Very scanty rainfall.

4. Breaks in Monsoon:

• Monsoon shows wet and dry spells – rain for a few days, followed by dry intervals.
• Reason: Shifting of monsoon trough and its axis.
  a. When trough is over plains – good rainfall.
  b. When trough shifts near Himalayas – dry plains, heavy rain in Himalayan catchments – floods.

5. Role of Tropical Depressions:

• Form at the head of the Bay of Bengal.
• Move inland following the axis of monsoon trough.
• Frequency & intensity of depressions decide amount and duration of rainfall.

6. Uncertainties of Monsoon:

• Known for irregular arrival and retreat.
• Causes alternating floods and droughts in different regions.
• Disturbs farming schedules of millions of farmers.

Retreating/Post Monsoons (The Transition Season)

1. Timing and Cause of Retreat:

• Occurs during October–November.
• With the southward apparent movement of the Sun, the monsoon trough over northern plains weakens.
• Gradually replaced by a high-pressure system.
• Southwest monsoon winds weaken and start withdrawing gradually.
• By early October, monsoon withdraws from Northern Plains.

2. Transition Phase Features:

• Marks shift from hot rainy season – dry winter conditions.
• Clear skies and rise in temperature during withdrawal.
• Day temperatures high, but nights cool and pleasant.
• Weather becomes oppressive due to heat + humidity – called “October Heat”.
• By second half of October, temperatures fall rapidly in northern India.

3. Shift of Low-Pressure Area:

• By early November, low pressure over northwestern India shifts to Bay of Bengal.
• This shift – associated with cyclonic depressions from Andaman Sea.

4. Tropical Cyclones in Post-Monsoon Season:

• Cyclones cross eastern coasts of India – cause heavy and widespread rain.
• These tropical cyclones are often destructive.
• Highly affected regions:
  a. Deltas of Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri (frequent cyclones).
  b. Sometimes hit Odisha, West Bengal, Bangladesh.
• Coromandel Coast: Major rainfall source is depressions and cyclones.

Do You Know?

• Mawsynram (Meghalaya) is the wettest place on Earth.
• It receives the highest average rainfall annually.
• Apart from rainfall, it is also famous for stalagmite and stalactite caves.
• These caves are formed due to the deposition of calcium carbonate over thousands of years.
• Mawsynram’s unique rain + cave geography makes it a popular study site for both climatology and geology.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Geography Class 9 Chapter 4: Climate

MCQs on NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – The Seasons

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “The Seasons” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. How many main seasons can be identified in India?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

Answer: c) 4

Question 2. Which of the following is not one of the four main seasons in India?

a) Cold Weather Season
b) Hot Weather Season
c) Advancing Monsoon
d) Winter Monsoon

Answer: d) Winter Monsoon

Question 3. Seasonal changes are most noticeable in:

a) Coastal areas
b) Interior parts of the country
c) Islands
d) Both (a) and (c)

Answer: b) Interior parts of the country

Question 4. Coastal areas of India mainly show variation in:

a) Temperature
b) Rainfall pattern
c) Pressure
d) Winds

Answer: b) Rainfall pattern

Question 5. The cold weather season in India lasts from:

a) October to December
b) November to February
c) December to March
d) January to March

Answer: b) November to February

Question 6. The coldest months in northern India are:

a) November and December
b) December and January
c) January and February
d) February and March

Answer: b) December and January

Question 7. In northern plains, the winter temperature ranges between:

a) 0°C – 5°C
b) 5°C – 10°C
c) 10°C – 15°C
d) 15°C – 20°C

Answer: c) 10°C – 15°C

Question 8. The average winter temperature of Chennai is:

a) 15°–20°C
b) 20°–22°C
c) 24°–25°C
d) 25°–30°C

Answer: c) 24°–25°C

Question 9. Which winds prevail over India during winters?

a) South-west monsoon
b) North-east trade winds
c) Westerlies
d) Jet streams

Answer: b) North-east trade winds

Question 10. Rainfall during winter on Tamil Nadu coast occurs because winds blow:

a) Land to sea
b) Sea to land
c) Both land to sea and sea to land
d) None of these

Answer: b) Sea to land

Question 11. The small amount of rainfall during winters in the northern plains is locally called:

a) Kal Baisakhi
b) Loo
c) Mahawat
d) Mango showers

Answer: c) Mahawat

Question 12. Western disturbances responsible for winter rain in India originate over:

a) Arabian Sea
b) Bay of Bengal
c) Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia
d) Indian Ocean

Answer: c) Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia

Question 13. Winter rainfall is important for the cultivation of:

a) Kharif crops
b) Rabi crops
c) Zaid crops
d) Cash crops

Answer: b) Rabi crops

Question 14. Which region of India does not have a well-defined cold season?

a) Northern Plains
b) Peninsular region
c) Himalayan region
d) Ganga valley

Answer: b) Peninsular region

Question 15. The hot weather season in India lasts from:

a) January–March
b) March–May
c) April–June
d) May–July

Answer: b) March–May

Question 16. The maximum temperature recorded in March is about:

a) 28°C
b) 32°C
c) 38°C
d) 45°C

Answer: c) 38°C

Question 17. The highest temperature of 42°C in April is recorded in:

a) Rajasthan and Gujarat
b) Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
c) Punjab and Haryana
d) Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Answer: b) Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

Question 18. In May, temperatures of 45°C are common in:

a) Northwestern India
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Coastal Tamil Nadu
d) North-east India

Answer: a) Northwestern India

Question 19. The low-pressure trough developed in May extends from:

a) Deccan Plateau to Himalayas
b) Thar Desert to Patna and Chotanagpur Plateau
c) Punjab to Tamil Nadu
d) Kerala to West Bengal

Answer: b) Thar Desert to Patna and Chotanagpur Plateau

Question 20. The hot, dry, gusty winds blowing in northern India during summer are called:

a) Kal Baisakhi
b) Loo
c) Mango showers
d) Mahawat

Answer: b) Loo

Question 21. Local thunderstorms in West Bengal during summer are known as:

a) Mango showers
b) Loo
c) Kal Baisakhi
d) Nor’westers

Answer: c) Kal Baisakhi

Question 22. Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka are known as:

a) Mango showers
b) Kal Baisakhi
c) Nor’westers
d) October heat

Answer: a) Mango showers

Question 23. The advancing monsoon season begins by:

a) April
b) May
c) June
d) July

Answer: c) June

Question 24. South-west monsoon winds originate from:

a) Northern Hemisphere
b) Subtropical areas of Southern oceans
c) Arabian Sea
d) Bay of Bengal

Answer: b) Subtropical areas of Southern oceans

Question 25. Average velocity of monsoon winds is:

a) 10 km/hr
b) 20 km/hr
c) 30 km/hr
d) 50 km/hr

Answer: c) 30 km/hr

Question 26. The Western Ghats receive rainfall more than:

a) 100 cm
b) 150 cm
c) 200 cm
d) 250 cm

Answer: d) 250 cm

Question 27. The wettest place in the world is:

a) Cherrapunji
b) Mawsynram
c) Shillong
d) Guwahati

Answer: b) Mawsynram

Question 28. Rainfall in the Ganga Valley decreases from:

a) West to East
b) North to South
c) South to North
d) East to West

Answer: d) East to West

Question 29. Which of the following states receives scanty rainfall during monsoon?

a) Kerala
b) Gujarat and Rajasthan
c) West Bengal
d) Assam

Answer: b) Gujarat and Rajasthan

Question 30. Breaks in monsoon are caused due to:

a) Temperature variation
b) Monsoon trough shifting
c) Wind direction
d) Ocean currents

Answer: b) Monsoon trough shifting

Question 31. Tropical depressions influencing rainfall originate in:

a) Arabian Sea
b) Indian Ocean
c) Bay of Bengal
d) Red Sea

Answer: c) Bay of Bengal

Question 32. Retreating monsoon begins in:

a) August
b) September
c) October
d) November

Answer: c) October

Question 33. The retreat of monsoon is marked by:

a) Clear skies and rise in temperature
b) Heavy rainfall and storms
c) Strong winds
d) Decrease in temperature only

Answer: a) Clear skies and rise in temperature

Question 34. The oppressive weather during October is known as:

a) Loo
b) October Heat
c) Kal Baisakhi
d) Mango showers

Answer: b) October Heat

Question 35. Low-pressure conditions shift to the Bay of Bengal in:

a) October
b) Early November
c) Late November
d) December

Answer: b) Early November

Question 36. Cyclones during retreating monsoon usually originate over:

a) Arabian Sea
b) Andaman Sea
c) Bay of Bengal
d) Red Sea

Answer: b) Andaman Sea

Question 37. The deltas of which rivers are most affected by cyclones during retreating monsoon?

a) Ganga and Yamuna
b) Krishna, Godavari and Kaveri
c) Narmada and Tapi
d) Mahanadi and Indus

Answer: b) Krishna, Godavari and Kaveri

Question 38. The bulk of rainfall on the Coromandel Coast is derived from:

a) South-west monsoon
b) Western disturbances
c) Cyclones and depressions
d) Mango showers

Answer: c) Cyclones and depressions